with Hawthorne, as Cheever weaves the age-old fabric of New England morality intoThe Wapshot Chronicle. Cheever shines most brilliantly when, akin to Hawthorne and Fitzgerald, he portrays a deep empathy for characters locked in a poignant quest for identity and belonging.

In "The Wapshot Chronicle," the settings play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and the characters' experiences. Different locales serve as metaphors for the changes and challenges faced by the Wapshot family and reflect broader societal shifts from the familiar to the uncertain. Each location is intricately woven into the fabric of the story, defining the characters' journeys and the emotional landscapes they navigate.

St. Botolphs

St. Botolphs is a quintessential small Massachusetts town with a storied past that has been in decline since the mid-nineteenth century. It symbolizes the shift of cultural and economic focus from New England to other parts of the United States in the postcolonial era. Cheever constructs this town with the classic elements of many Boston-area towns: a central square as the hub of social and commercial life, a hill overlooking the town, a river coursing from the hills to the coast, and farmlands stretching northward to the mountains. The aromas of St. Botolphs—ranging from the briny summer air to the earthy scent of mud—significantly influence the story's psychological atmosphere and the characters' emotions. For instance, Captain Leander Wapshot finds exhilaration in the "brine-smelling summer days" while sailing towards the bay beyond Boston harbor, whereas Mrs. Wapshot's melancholy is mirrored by her appreciation for the scent of orange rinds and wood smoke.

Wapshot House

The Wapshot house, located beside the river on land that once formed part of a farm, is more than just a residence; it is a repository of family history. This large home is steeped in a local oral tradition that renders it a significant landmark on the internal maps of the town's long-term inhabitants. Across the river lies a neighborhood populated by families of Italian descent, perceived by the townsfolk as outsiders, highlighting the insular and sometimes insidious nature of small-town identity.

Travertine

Travertine, a small market town four miles from St. Botolphs, serves as the commercial cornerstone of the region. It provides a necessary complement to the more culturally refined settings of St. Botolphs, encompassing the church, meetinghouse, and elegant homes. The Wapshots and their neighbors frequent Travertine to procure provisions and connect with community members they might otherwise not encounter, knitting together the social fabric with commercial interactions.

Boston

Boston stands as a mighty influence over the area, though it is not a constant presence in the lives of the Wapshots. Representing the beginning of the outside world, Boston is depicted as a scattered and uncertain place, lacking the comforting familiarity that the characters find in their own town. It serves as a reminder of the broader, sometimes disorienting world beyond the safe confines of St. Botolphs.

Nangasakit

Nangasakit is a coastal resort town known for its small bungalows for visitors, modest resident homes, and the typical attractions of a tourist economy. The allure of its coastal waters and the scenic beaches and dunes offer a temporary escape from the everyday, providing a backdrop for leisure and reflection.

Langeley

Langeley, situated on the fringe of wilderness north of Boston, near New Hampshire and French Canada, offers a stark contrast to the urbanized areas. Here, the Wapshot men find seclusion while fishing in the deep-wooded ponds. Moses Wapshot sees the beauty in this landscape, though Cheever describes it as "ugly and treacherous." Langeley underscores the men's desire for solitude and the notable absence of women in these rugged settings.

Washington, D.C. and New York City

The sprawling urban landscapes of Washington, D.C., and New York City offer Moses and Coverly Wapshot a chance to carve out independent lives, yet they remain alien and complex environments. The brothers encounter a series of enigmatic and peculiar characters, challenging their perceptions and adaptability. Coverly's stint in Honolulu and subsequent posting at Remsen Park, a rocket base in the Northeast, further showcases his journey across disparate worlds. Meanwhile, Moses experiences the opulence of Clear Haven, a mansion near New York City, mingling with a wealthy yet predatory family. These distant settings contrast sharply with the historic and comforting familiarity of St. Botolphs, illuminating the challenges of modernity against a backdrop of enduring tradition.

In the vibrant narrative of The Wapshot Scandal (1964), Cheever crafts a vivid critique of modern American life. He intricately weaves the tales of the resilient Wapshots, who find themselves launched "into the world of missile stations, thruways, supermarkets, suburbs and questioning young men from the Internal Revenue Service." The central thread of the story follows the tumultuous journeys of Leander's sons, Moses and Coverly, as they confront the relentless tide of contemporary culture. Much like their forebears, they navigate a landscape fraught with peril and uncertainty. Thrust into an existence stripped of the traditional values and legacies that once defined their lineage, Leander's sons do not strive for triumph; they merely fight to survive.

As the narrative unfurls, Coverly emerges as the focal point of The Wapshot Scandal, with Moses receding into the background. The character of Cousin Honora adds a touch of whimsy, while the novel delves deep into the lives of the Wapshot wives, Betsey and Melissa. Coverly, in common with his brother, is a quintessential figure of the evolving era, entangled within a colossal technological framework of bewildering productivity. Betsey wanders through the pages as a searching spirit, yearning for affection and companionship, ever elusive. Conversely, Melissa assumes a more formidable presence, unable to adapt to the new world. She is ensnared by its deceptive comforts and polished respectability, haunted by the specter of her own obsolescence. In a frantic bid to escape her desolation, Melissa embarks on an affair, seeking solace in a young lover, only to find herself a defeated, confused casualty of her own making. Meanwhile, Moses contends with his wife's betrayal through a haze of alcohol and dissatisfaction. The task of fortitude falls to Coverly, who, much like his father, draws upon an inner resilience to face life's adversities. Returning to St. Botolphs, as he does at the close of The Wapshot Chronicle, Coverly endeavors to rekindle the enduring spirit of the Wapshots, bridging the present with a storied past.

The haunting presence of St. Botolphs serves as an omnipresent backdrop to the story, shadowed by the ethereal specter of Leander. His ghostly return to St. Botolphs during Coverly's moments of reflection underscores Cheever's cautionary message. He warns of the dangers inherent in mankind's relentless pursuit of progress, fearing the erosion of "the excellence and continuity of things." The novel ultimately serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of human achievement.